100 Series Land Cruiser Rear Lower Control Arms

[4Peanut]

My rear lower control arms are bent (PO). I can get new OEM rear lower control arms from American Toyota for about $300. Or, I can get Slee's heavy duty rear lower control arms for about the same price. My 100 spends 99% of its time taking the kids to practice and hauling the family to triathlons up and down the East coast. In other words, the Wild West Off Road high clearance rear lower control arms are unnecessary/overkill in terms of both cost and benefit. So, since the OEM and Slee rear lower control arms are about the same price, is there a reason to pick one over the other? Do the Slee arms need to be painted, or are they good-to-go as is? How much heavier are Slee's arms?

 

[spressomon]

Slee's are solid steel and smaller diameter with his polyester bushing material that is not as firm as polyurethane but not as soft as OEM rubber bushings. And they are cadmium plated or similar...so no painting needed.

Nothing wrong with OEM lower control arms as long as you reinforce them as others have done here. Weld V channel steel on the bottom side and you're good to go.

I'm going to be making my own lower control arms soon and I'd sell you my relatively new Slee's but our timelines may be too far apart (I'm probably 2-4 weeks out).

 

[4Peanut]

spressomon, thanks. I need to get replacement arms on the 100 in the next week or two. My 275/70-18 BFG AT's are shipping from discounttires.com today (five, in stock, 33", BFG AT's shipped for $997.50) and I'm in the process of refinishing my 18" OEM alloys. Once everything is mounted, balanced and bolted, it's off to the alignment shop. Everything needs to be ready to go before we leave on a 2,400 mile round trip for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater Beach, FL, in early November.

Given that the current OEM arms were likely bent by a misguided tech and his hoist, with cost not a factor it might be worthwhile to get the Slee arms. If not less likely to bend under the pressure of a hoist, at least their plating might cause someone to pause before trying to lift the 100 with them.

 

[2000UZJ]

spressomon, thanks. I need to get replacement arms on the 100 in the next week or two. My 275/70-18 BFG AT's are shipping from discounttires.com today (five, in stock, 33", BFG AT's shipped for $997.50) and I'm in the process of refinishing my 18" OEM alloys. Once everything is mounted, balanced and bolted, it's off to the alignment shop. Everything needs to be ready to go before we leave on a 2,400 mile round trip for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater Beach, FL, in early November.

Given that the current OEM arms were likely bent by a misguided tech and his hoist, with cost not a factor it might be worthwhile to get the Slee arms. If not less likely to bend under the pressure of a hoist, at least their plating might cause someone to pause before trying to lift the 100 with them.

if you swing through GA shoot me a PM. Be nice to meet some more mud members

 

[4Peanut]

if you swing through GA shoot me a PM. Be nice to meet some more mud members

That would be nice, but we'll be swinging through GA along I-95 from 4 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Too early for a beer, and definitely a long way from Sandy Springs.

I drive the entire 1,200 mile, 18 hour trip myself, making only NASCAR-style pit stops for gas and coffee—my wife and kids hate it. We leave at 6 p.m. and arrive the following day at noon. My average miles per hour is inversely proportional to the number of awake passengers.

I'm looking forward to hours and hours of Car Talk podcasts and the hum of my new BFG AT's!

 

[nakman]

I've got the Slee LCA's on my 80 and the upgrade over OEM was substantial, I presume the same holds true in the 100 world.. if the cost was close to the same it's a no brainer upgrade, IMO, particularly if you're looking for a fast bolt-up solution. And our wives have something in common, mine hates the all night drives too... I'd rather be a little tired than lose a day

And Spressomon I'd probably be interested in your take-off Slee's when you get around to replacing them, irony of shipping them back to Colorado aside. I'm in absolutely no hurry.

 

[2000UZJ]

That would be nice, but we'll be swinging through GA along I-95 from 4 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Too early for a beer, and definitely a long way from Sandy Springs.

I drive the entire 1,200 mile, 18 hour trip myself, making only NASCAR-style pit stops for gas and coffee—my wife and kids hate it. We leave at 6 p.m. and arrive the following day at noon. My average miles per hour is inversely proportional to the number of awake passengers.

I'm looking forward to hours and hours of Car Talk podcasts and the hum of my new BFG AT's!

never to early for a beer, it's 5 o'clock somewhere.

Yea, I-95 isn't to close to me, have a safe trip. Enjoy the A/T's, they are fabulous highway tires. If you haven't gotten them on, when you do. Drive a few high speed passes on the interstate. I had a hell of a time getting my A/T's balanced. Nothing like driving 18 hours with a shaking steering wheel. I did it, never again.

 

[Morty]

Spressmon, please post details of your custom arms when they are done.

 

[spressomon]

Spressmon, please post details of your custom arms when they are done.

Will do. Nothing notable except they're going to be thick wall DOM tubing and more than likely OEM 80-Series bushings...and they will be tough.

 

[Anthony.L]

Will you put a bend in them like the Wild West LCAs?

 

[steenh]

Spresso, put me second in line on the Slee's if nakman changes his mind. They are on my list of things to do.

Thanks,

 

[spressomon]

Will you put a bend in them like the Wild West LCAs?

Probably not. Although I appreciate their design for additional clearance I'd be nervous, for my uses, about the drive shaft being even more exposed on straight on ledge climbs.

The guy to weigh in on this aspect of the WW arms would be John: John you out there?

 

[spressomon]

Spresso, put me second in line on the Slee's if nakman changes his mind. They are on my list of things to do.

Thanks,

Another has already committed to purchase them...but if he changes his mind I'll PM both of you.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Probably not. Although I appreciate their design for additional clearance I'd be nervous, for my uses, about the drive shaft being even more exposed on straight on ledge climbs.

The guy to weigh in on this aspect of the WW arms would be John: John you out there?

Been travelling!

***Worrying about rear driveshaft damage with WWOR arms is like worrying about your Land Cruiser failing before a Grand Cherokee. We're already are careful where we place the rear diff...that covers the rear driveshaft too in almost every case.

***What always hangs us up on the trails? Lower arms or the rear driveshaft? LOWER ARMS. What always bends? LOWER ARMS. I have bent my reinforced stock arms numerous times. It's not been strong enough for me. If you address these with WWOR arms then your worries are over. All you need to be careful of is that rear diff. And by the way...IF...IF you HAD to climb a big ledge that was 100% flat and the width of the truck...and you HAD to do it head-on...your driveshaft does not touch first. Folks need to not worry about this. Plus, when the was the last time you climbed a 2-foot tall sidewalk from head on? Your bumper won't clear it! You would go at a bit of an angle...that protects the rear shaft as well!

***I would not buy any of the dedicated 100-series aftermarket arms I've seen. I would buy a heavier-duty aftermarket 80-series arm. Huge ones like from WWOR or other makers. Then take 5-minutes and install the larger bolts, etc. Have you seen the massive size of some of the aftermarket 80-series arms? They are amazing! Cost is about the same. I also would insist on a Toyota-ish bushing like the WWOR arms have, though the bushing is not a deal-breaker for me. Using 100-arms is though when you can fit better 80-series arms.

***Last...after running the curved WW arms...I could never return to straight ones. It's like adding lockers. You won't go back. Once you clear these ledges and rocks WITHOUT hangin up you won't go back. Seeing them in action proves their merit. David from 4WD Toy Owner Mag confirmed the same thing. ONCE YOU HAVE THEM...YOU ARE SOLD! Don't listen to folks that DO NOT HAVE them and use scare tactics about the rear driveshaft! Ah, hey...I mangled a rear driveshaft on the 100 and BEFORE I had the WWOR arms.

 

[Anthony.L]

Well guess that answers that question!

 

[DesertRun]

Been travelling!

***Worrying about rear driveshaft damage with WWOR arms is like worrying about your Land Cruiser failing before a Grand Cherokee. We're already are careful where we place the rear diff...that covers the rear driveshaft too in almost every case.

***What always hangs us up on the trails? Lower arms or the rear driveshaft? LOWER ARMS. What always bends? LOWER ARMS. I have bent my reinforced stock arms numerous times. It's not been strong enough for me. If you address these with WWOR arms then your worries are over. All you need to be careful of is that rear diff. And by the way...IF...IF you HAD to climb a big ledge that was 100% flat and the width of the truck...and you HAD to do it head-on...your driveshaft does not touch first. Folks need to not worry about this. Plus, when the was the last time you climbed a 2-foot tall sidewalk from head on? Your bumper won't clear it! You would go at a bit of an angle...that protects the rear shaft as well!

***I would not buy any of the dedicated 100-series aftermarket arms I've seen. I would buy a heavier-duty aftermarket 80-series arm. Huge ones like from WWOR or other makers. Then take 5-minutes and install the larger bolts, etc. Have you seen the massive size of some of the aftermarket 80-series arms? They are amazing! Cost is about the same. I also would insist on a Toyota-ish bushing like the WWOR arms have, though the bushing is not a deal-breaker for me. Using 100-arms is though when you can fit better 80-series arms.

***Last...after running the curved WW arms...I could never return to straight ones. It's like adding lockers. You won't go back. Once you clear these ledges and rocks WITHOUT hangin up you won't go back. Seeing them in action proves their merit. David from 4WD Toy Owner Mag confirmed the same thing. ONCE YOU HAVE THEM...YOU ARE SOLD! Don't listen to folks that DO NOT HAVE them and use scare tactics about the rear driveshaft! Ah, hey...I mangled a rear driveshaft on the 100 and BEFORE I had the WWOR arms.

How do you really feel John?

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Well, I'm not really sure.

I think I have to take the same approach for the forum readers that 4WD OR Mag did for their readers. It's the only way for the folks to make the jump to the next price/quality level. Yes...I am "selling" the WWOR Arms. What an improvement!

And I tell you what...they are needed EVEN MORE on ANY FJC that hits the trail. Maybe WW will begin servicing them for the FJC.

 

[DesertRun]

Well, I'm not really sure.

I think I have to take the same approach for the forum readers that 4WD OR Mag did for their readers. It's the only way for the folks to make the jump to the next price/quality level. Yes...I am "selling" the WWOR Arms. What an improvement!

And I tell you what...they are needed EVEN MORE on ANY FJC that hits the trail. Maybe WW will begin servicing them for the FJC.

Actually I am looking at them now since I have to replace my rear LCA's. I will let you know which way I go.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Just my two cents from a few bents lowers. I would rather drag a beefy lower than even risk denting a thin walled driveshaft. One scrapes paint, the other costs a pile to retube and has to be removed to drive.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Just my two cents from a few bents lowers. I would rather drag a beefy lower than even risk denting a thin walled driveshaft. One scrapes paint, the other costs a pile to retube and has to be removed to drive.

OK...so please explain why you can expect a true risk to rear driveshaft damage with these arms? Please speak from experience on this vehicle. Have you seen a 100 equipped with the WWOR arms in person? Are you saying David from 4WD Owner Mag is misguided in his recommendation as well?

100-owners CAN "have their cake and eat the trails too". Right now...those straight LCA's are our sore spot. They gotta go and there's a fantastic solution.